The role of ingroup contact in intergroup contact theory

A wealth of research examining intergroup contact theory (Allport, 1954; Brown & Hewstone, 2005) has shown that outgroup contact improves outgroup attitudes. Few studies have examined the corresponding role of ingroup contact, despite its prevalence and evidence suggesting it may detrimentally affect intergroup relations (e.g., Levin et al., 2003; Wilder & Thompson, 1980), or the corresponding effects on ingroup attitudes. This thesis addresses these lacunae by investigating the ways in which ingroup contact, in addition to outgroup contact, shapes both ingroup and outgroup attitudes. In so doing, this thesis aims to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of how contact influences intergroup relations through the incorporation of ingroup contact in intergroup contact theory. Chapter 1 details the theoretical and empirical rationale that underpins this thesis, introduces the 10 studies (total N = 34,944) comprising this thesis, and outlines the analysis techniques used to test the proposed hypotheses (i.e., latent growth modelling, meta-analysis, random-intercept cross lagged panel modelling, and longitudinal social network analysis). Chapter 2 examines the relationship between ingroup and outgroup contact and finds that, at least for friendships, more ingroup contact is associated with less outgroup contact, and vice versa. Chapter 3 investigates the effects of contact on attitudes and identifies positive between-person associations for ingroup contact and ingroup attitudes, and for outgroup contact and outgroup attitudes, yet obtains little evidence for the corresponding within-person effects. Chapter 4 explores the socialisation of ingroup and outgroup attitudes and reports that individuals’ attitudes are influenced by the attitudes held by their ingroup, but not their outgroup, friends. Finally, Chapter 5 discusses the research presented in this thesis and outlines its theoretical, methodological and practical implications. Overall, this thesis shows that ingroup contact has an important role in shaping both ingroup and outgroup attitudes, which highlights the imperative need for further research in this nascent area of study.